Door check and closer



Jan. 23, 1923. 1,442,892. E. L. LEINBACH.

DOOR C'HECK AND CLOSER. FILED MAR.7,1921.

llLcwbaoiu on line 3-3, Figure 2.

Patente ant 23, 123i.

EDWARD L. LEINBACH,

DOOR CHECK Application filed l llarch 7,

T 0' all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD L. LEINBAOH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Door Checks and Closers, of which the following is a' specification. This invention relates to improvements in door check and closerfor automatically retarding a sudden closing and slamming of the door but which will allow the door to gradually close when released and at the same time willnot interfere with an easy opening movement of the door. A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide an improved device of this character embodying two members one of which constitutes a friction surface and the other of which is wrapped about the friction surface, the members being -relatively operated to cause a frictional gripping operation between the members as the door'is closing, the grip between the members being automatically. released as the door is opened.

A further object is to provide improved means whereby energy will be stored during the opening of the door, and which energy will bespent when the door is released to cause the door to swing to a closing position. 4 To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists inthe features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and shown in the accompanying drawing illustrating this invention and in which Figure 1 is a top plan view; i I Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2 2, Figure 3. 1

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view. taken Referring more particularly to'the drawing the numeral 10 designates a hollow drum like structure which may be of any desired size and configuration and constructed of any suitable material. This drum is preferably provided with a base 11, by means of Wl'llCh it maybe anchored to a fixed support or to a swinging closure. c 1

Supported within the drum 10, is a hub LMZEQZ "aria oaaice, v

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AND CLOSER.

1921. Serial No. 450,348.

12, which is secured to the drum in any suitable manner .so as to be held against rotation and journaled in the hub'12 is an axle 13. This axle is preferably provided with a flange or shoulderl l, adjacent one end and the other extremity of the axle is preferably threaded as at 15, to receive a nut or collar 16, the flange 14: abuttitng one end of the axle 13, and the collar 16 co-operating with the flange 14: for holding the drum 10 agiiinst displacement with respect to the ax e.

Arranged within the drum 10 is a rotate ble drum like element 17 which may also be of any desired size and constructed of any suitable material. This drum like element 17 is preferably considerably smaller in external diameter than the internal diameter of the drum 10, so as to provide a, space therebetween. c

The drum 17 is connected with the axle 13, to rotate therewith in any desired or suitable manner preferably by means of' the end 18, of the axle passing through a suitable opening in the drum-17, and also through an the drum 10, and which is rotatable with the drum 17, and the axle 13.

Arranged within the drum 17, is a coil spring 20, which is coiled about the hub 12, and is anchored thereto by one extremity by means of a suitable anchoring device 21. The other end 22, of the spring 20, is an chored to the drum 17, in any suitable manner preferably by means of a lip 23, struck up. from the drum 17 and which lip passes through a suitable opening adjacent the end ofthe spring 22. The spring 20 is coiled about the hub 12, in such a direction that when the drum 17 is rotated in the direction leased, in a manner to be hereinafter set forth,'the' energy thus stored in the spring 20, will operate upon the drum 17 to reverse its direction of rotation,

The drum 17, is preferably rotated by means of an arm 24, which is provided with an-opening adjacent one end to receive the end 18, of the axle 13,and a-fastening device 25, is provided for securing the extremity indicated -by the arrow in Figure 2, the

of the arm 24 to the element 19, and the drum 17, so .thatwhen the'arm 24 is moved. in the direction indicated by the arrow in in closure 30. 1 i

-ments and 17 is a band of flexible mate- Figure 1, it will rotate the element 19 and the drum 17 to wind up the spring 20..v

This arm 24, may be of any desired size and configuration and pivotally connected to the free end thereof as at 25, is a link 26, the free end 27 of which is preferably pivotally connected to a bracket 28, which latter may be secured to either the door 29, or the swingnterposed between the drum like elerial 31, which may be of any desired width and constructed of any suitable material.

' This hand 31, is coiled one or more times,

about the drum 17 and the end 32, of the band is anchored by means of a fastening device 33, to the drum 10. This anchoring means may be of any desired construction but preferably embodies a plate having an," opening 34, adapted to receive a projection 35, on the end of the band31.

Connected with the casing 10, is a screw 36, preferably. arranged tangentially to the drum like element 17 This screw is supported for rotation by means of, a suitable casing or support 37, the head 38, of the the free extremity 42 of the band 31, and the spring 41, normally exerts its stress upon the band 31, in such a manner as to tend to wind or contract the band 31, about the drum 17. By adjusting the screw 38, the tension or stress of the spring 41, upon the band 31, may be varied at will.

In use the casing or drum like element 10, may be secured either to the door 29, or closure 30, so that the free end of the link 26, may be pivotally connected to the one to which the casing 10, is not secured.

The normal tendency of the spring 20, is

i to cause the closure 29, to close.

When the closure 29 is opened, the link 26 will cause the arm 24, to be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 1 andthis will rotate the drum 17, in a direction to wind up the spring 20, to store energy therein. As the drum 17 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure:2, the spring 41, will yield to permit the band 31 to expand. When, however, the closure 29, is moved in the opposite direction, the friction between the drum 17 and the band 31, will cause the band 31 to con-v while the energy of the spring 20, is being expended'to move the closure in a'closed position.

Obviously when opened-the spring 41,- will yield to permit the closure is again the band 31 to expand so as not tointerfere with the further opening 'movem ent of the closure; I t

Obviously many changes maybe made in the details of construction and in the combination andiarrangement of. the several parts,within the scope of the claims, without "departing from the spirit of, this invention.

What is claimedas new is 1. A door check and closer Lembodying frictionally engaged members, one of the member, and'pivotally 'connected elements,

the free end of one element being connected with the said rotatable member for operating the latter, the free endof the other element and the other of the said members being connected one with a swinging closure and the other with a fixed support.

2. A door check and closer embodying frictionally engaged members, one member being wrapped about the other member, one of the members beingadapted for a forward and backward movement with respect to the other of the members, the wrapped member being tightened upon the other member solely by the friction between the members when one of the. members is driven in one direction with respect tothe other member, the said friction operating to loosen the members being wrapped about the other 'member, means for rotating one of the members forwardly and backwardly with respect to the other member, the wrapped member being tightened uponthe other member solely by the friction between the members when one of the members is moved in one direction with respect to the other member, pivotally connected elements, the

free end of one element being connected with the said rotatable member for operating the latter, the freeiend of the other element and the other of the said members between the said members.

.ing connected one with aswing'ing closure- 4. A door check and closer en'ibodying frictionall engaged members, one of the members eing wrapped about the other members being connected one with a swing member, means for rotating one of the members forwardly and'backwardly with respect to the other member, the friction between said members acting to tighten the wrapped member upon the otheemember when one of the members is moved in one direction with respect to the other member, pivot-ally connected elements, the free endof one element being connected with the movable one of th'emembers for operating it, the free end of the other element and the other of the said ing closureand the other with a fixed sup port, one end of said wrapped member being anchored, and an anchored yielding element, said element exerting its stress upon the wrapped member adjacent one end of the latter. r i

5. A door check andcloser embodying two co-operating members, one of said membeis being wrapped about the other member, an arm for imparting a pivotal movement to one of the members in one direction with respect to the other member, a link pivotally connected with the free end of the arm, and means for reversing the direction of pivotal movement of the movable member, the said wrapped member co-operating with the other member in such amanner that its friction with the other member will cause it to con tract when the pivotal member is actuated by the first recited means and to expand when actuated by the second recited means.

6. A door check and closer embodying a pair of members movable relatively one with relation to the other, one of said members being provided with a friction surface, a

flexible friction band encompassing and cooperating with the said surface, the ends of the said band being connectedwith one of the members,- provisions whereby the move- Inent ofone-of the members in. one d1rec-- tion'with respect to the-other member will i cause the said band to grip the said surface and when the.movable member is moved in the opposite direction, the grip or friction of the band upon the, said surface will be relieved, and an arm connected with the mov able oneiof the said members, the said arm and the other one ofthe said members being connected one with a fixed sup-port andthe other with a swinging closure.-

7. A door check and closer embodying-a pair of members movable relatively one with relation to the other, one of said members being provided with a frictlon surface, a flex respect to the other member will cause the" said band to grip the said surface and when the movable member is moved in the opposite direction, the grip or friction of the band upon the said surface will be relieved, an

arm connected with the movable one of thesaid members, and a link pivoted to the free end of the arm, the free end of said link and the other one of the said members being connected one with a fixed support and the other with a swinging closure.

8. A door check and closer embodying a pair of members movable relatively one with relation to the other, one of said members being provided with a friction surface, a flexible friction band encompassing and co-operating with the said surface, the ends of the said band being connected with one of the members, provisions whereby the movement of one of the members in one direction with respect to the other member will cause the said band to grip the said surface and when the movable member is moved in the opposite direction, the grip or friction of the band upon the said surface will be relieved, an arm connected with the movable one of the said members for moving it" in one di rection, the said arm and the other of the said members being connected one with a fixed support and the other with a swinging closure, and means for moving the said movable member in the reverse direction, the last recited means also operating to move the said closure.

.9. A door check and closer embodying a pair of members movable relatively one with relation to the other, one of said members being provided with a friction surface, a flexible friction band encompassing and co-opcrating with the said surface, the .ends of the I said band being connected with one of the members, provisions whereby the movement of one of the members in one direction with respect to the, other member will cause the said band to grip the said surface and when the movable member is moved in the opposite direction, the grip or friction of the band upon the said surface will be relieved, and an arm connected with the movable'one of the said members, the said arm and the other one of the said members being connected one with a fixed support and the other with a swinging closure, the said provisions embodying a yielding element operating upon the said band adjacent one end thereof.

10." A door check and closer embodying a rotary drum like element, a relatively sta tionary drum like element, means for r0- tating the drum in one direction, means for reversing the direction of rotation of the rotary drum, and a friction band wrapped about the rotary drum and attached to 'the stationary drum in such a manner that its friction with the rotary drum will cause it to contract when the drum is rotated bythe first recited means and to expand when the drum is rotated by the sedond recitedmeans.

11. A door check and closer embodying a rotary drum like element, a relatively stationary drum like element, means for rotating the drum in one direction, means for reversing the direction of rotation of the i'otary drum, a friction band wrapped about the rotary drum and attached to the stationary drum in such a manner that its friction with the rotary drum will cause it to contract when the drum is rotated by the first re cited ineans and to expand when the drum is contract when the drum is rotatedby the first rotated by the second recited means, and adjustable means operable at will for contracting and expanding-said band.

12. A door check and closer embodying a rotary drum like element, a relatively stationary drum like element, means for rotating the drum in, one direction, means for reversing the direction of rotation of the rotary drum, the rotary drum and attached to the stationary drum in such a manner that its friction with the rotary drum will cause it to recited means and 'to expand when the drum is rotated bythe second recited means, and a yielding connection between the said band and the stationary drum to tighten said band upon the rotary drum.

- 13. A door check and closer embodying a pivotally mounted element, a relatively stationary dru'm like element, means for moving the pivoted element in one direction, means for reversing the direction of move ment of the pivoted element, and a friction band wrapped about. the rotary drum and attached to the said ivoted element in such a manner that its friction with the pivoted element will causeit to contract when the ,element is moved by the first recited means and to expand when the element is moved the second recited means, the said friction hand embodying an elastic section as a component part thereof. v

14. A door check and closer embodying a rotary drum like element, a relatively stationary drum like element, means for rotab ing the. drum in onedirection, means for reversing the direction of rotation of the rotary drum, a friction band wrapped about the rotary drum and attached to the stationarydrum in such a manner thatits fricsection as a component a friction band wrapped about the rotary drum' and tion. with the rotary drum will cause it to contract when the drum is rotated by the first recited means and to expand when the drum is rotated by the second recited means, the said friction band embodying an elastic art thereof, and means for varying at wil the stress of the said elastic section.

15'. A door check and closer embodying a rotary drumlike element, arelatively stationary drum like element, means for rotating the drum in one direction, means for reversing the direction of rotation-of the rotary drum, a friction band wrapped about the rotary drum and attached to the stationary drum in such a manner that its frietion with the rotary drum will cause it to contract when the drum is rotated by the first'recited means and to expand when the drum isrotated by the second recited means, an adjusting screw mounted upon the sta-- tionary drum, a nut engaged by said screw, and an elastic element having one end connected with said nut, the other end of said elastic element being connected with one end of the said friction band.

16. A door check and, closer embodying a rotatable drum like element, a relatively stationary drum like element, means for rotatbetween and connected to the two drumsfor reversing the direction of rotation of the drum, and a friction band wrapped about the rotary drum and attached to the sta tionary drum and in such a manner that its friction with the rotary drum will cause it to contract to grip the rotary drum when the drum is rotated in one direction and to expand whenthe drum is rotated in the op- Y rotatable drum like element, a relatively stationary drum like element encompassing the rotatable drum, means for rotating the drum in one direction, elastic means between and connected with thetwo drums for re versing the direction of rotation of the drum, and a friction band wrapped about attached to the stationary drumin such a manner that its friction with the rotary drum will cause it to contract to grip the rotary drum when the drum is rotated in one direction and to expand when the drum is rotated in the opposite direction.

In testimony name to this specification on this itliday March, A. D. 1921. I

EDWARD L.'LEINBACH.

mg the drum in one direction, a coil Spring 

